JUNE 24, 1996

Tyrrell worried

THE Tyrrell team is obviously worried that a rival team is going to try and steal its lead driver Mika Salo in 1997. The team says it has an option on Salo and will fight to keep hold of him.

Mika has been driving for Tyrrell since the start of 1995 when the team "won" him in a contractual dispute with Team Lotus, which had given him his first chance in F1 at the Japanese GP of 1994.

There have been rumors in recent days that Salo is a prime target for McLaren, which is looking to replace Mika Hakkinen, rumored to be on his way to Benetton in 1997. McLaren has shown interest in Indycar driver Greg Moore and is undoubtedly talking to Heinz-Harald Frentzen as well.